There is an old rule that you can have something done fast, well, or cheap, but you can only choose two. Let’s explore if this rule holds within the plastics industry, particularly concerning recyclate-based products. Two main reasons why regranulate-based, modified compounds became so popular:
- the significant reduction in negative environmental impact,
- and the cost-effectiveness
Material composition is the single highest cost in high-performance, specialized compounds. Let us take one of the most common questions of our customers: Is it feasible to create a recyclate-based compound with a vibrant, uniform color? In essence, yes. Yet, what about the concealed costs?
The (non)reduced carbon footprint
Let’s revisit the well-cheap-fast rule. In our context, “well” signifies high quality and the reduction of carbon footprint.
The first thing to consider should be the energy demand. Recycling consumes a vast amount of energy. Although these processes are relatively minor compared to recycling other materials, they remain incredibly power-hungry. While this fictitious recycling line may yield fine-quality regranulate, it would still fall short of the parameters set by its prime-grade counterparts.
Now imagine that recycled material, mixed from many different-colored waste, is colored bright, pastel, or even white. The amount of sorting by color would make this process even more power-hungry. If you decide to go straight to adding more and more colorant to achieve a uniform color, you’ve already made a product with a higher carbon footprint than virgin material-based.
PCR – cheap if you need, expensive if you want
Your best bet would be to use PIR (post-industrial recyclate), while the regulations target the use of PCR (post-consumer recyclate) – in other words – plastic waste. At the end of the day, we all want our materials to have a minimal environmental impact.
Industrial-grade compound waste is often made exclusively from prime materials of high quality and is well-sorted. On top of that the companies revert those within their manufacturing process. It makes it less available and more expensive. If you want to achieve similar effects with PCR you need to pay. In that case, quality equals price.
Cash is King
Quality is everything, yet within the well-cheap-fast equation, there is a rule within the rule: Cash is king. Cost-effectiveness in regranulate-based compounds predominantly stems from material selection. If the project mandates a vibrant, uniform-colored, high-performance compound, you must either:
- accept the higher costs associated with sourcing materials from recyclers and compounders
- or take matters into your own hands.
However, it’s worth noting that this could entail upgrading in-house laboratory facilities and doubling the personnel dedicated to Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and production. Electricity consumption, in-house lab, and other equipment would make this process less sustainable and hard to improve, given the smaller scale. At Polimarky, we ensure the quality of our compounds. It necessitates skilled personnel and state-of-the-art equipment, which inevitably impacts environmental and financial costs.
If your project demands brightly colored plastics derived from recyclate at standard recyclate prices, your options may be limited to some shady suppliers. It may also prompt a reconsideration of your approach.

Ugly is the new sustainable
As humans, we tend to get used to certain things. We are always on the lookout for nothing less than perfection, especially when it comes to how things look. In that context, the well-chap-fast rule is becoming a reality checker. It shows us that there are repercussions when our expectations aren’t all that considerate. Whether it’s harming the environment, jacking up prices, facing availability hiccups, or maybe even dealing with all of those at once.
So, here’s the thing: just because we’re using recyclable materials, does that mean we’re stuck with dull, dark colors for our products? Not necessarily. For starters, technology keeps advancing, promising more sustainable and cost-effective solutions down the road. Plus, there are regulations in place that weed out shady companies and false claims, clearing the path for more transparent practices.
We can also shift our mindset about aesthetics and embrace imperfection. Think about it: those slightly squished shapes, those uneven colors, and even intentionally “ugly” designs have huge potential. These days, many companies sell furniture and home decor that is intentionally raw just to show that the product is authentically sustainable. Those companies often charge a premium for their products.
Not only as plastic compounders but most necessarily as consumers, we shouldn’t forget about our power to shape the market. If we focus on product source, material composition, and verifying companies’ claims, we can change the industry faster than any potential regulation. We should also mention that those consumer-shaped market changes are long-lasting. What can we do now, then?
- invest in long-lasting products
- reduce unnecessary consumption
- find ways to upcycle products
- reject non-sustainable solutions
Any change is good, and, in that case, it is easily achievable. It’s all about perspective and recognizing the value in what’s not traditionally considered perfect. Whether you purchase or design the materials for your products or buy some stuff after hours, remember: there’s much more cost to those bright-colored recycled materials than meets the eye.